Whymms Tropic of Cancer Beach, Long Island, Bahamas - The Beaches of Long Island
The Beaches of Long Island
The Beaches of Long Island
Whymms Tropic of Cancer Beach, Long Island, Bahamas
Near North
DIRECTIONS: Look for the Tropic of Cancer sign! And follow the road to the beach. Now we did kind of like straddling the line, but now there are no excuses for missing where to turn. Note that this road has a few pot holes so take it easy. The main road to the homes at Whymms is wider and less pot hole ridden, but then it doesn’t have the great photo op that this one does.
Tropic of Cancer, Whymms, Long Island, Bahamas
The very end of the Tropic of Cancer road is on private property (the Quonset huts on the right). And the stone wall immediately to the left marks private property. If you park directly along the wall about 50-100' back from the beach, and walk directly to the beach, no one should bother you. Again, be respectful. It’s rumored that the property owner on the left if plied with copious amounts of vodka or gin will be glad to regale you with all sorts of Long Island information. And even non-Long Island information. Rumor has it.
Tropic of Cancer, Whymms, Long Island, Bahamas
Whales Head, Whymms, Long Island, Bahamas
Looking southwest towards Whale Head in the center.
Bains bluff, Whymms, Long Island, Bahamas
Looking northwest towards Bains Bluff on the right.
The Tropic of Cancer beach at Whymms with 2.4 miles of walkable beach at low tide is the longest easily accessible Caribbean side beach on Long Island. A small stream conveniently divides it roughly in half, with 1.3 miles to the north and 1.1 miles to the south. There is a small community of larger homes on the northern end so you are likely to see a person or two walking the beach there usually in the early morning or late afternoon. The distant southern end is almost always deserted. A peculiarity of this beach is the sponges of all shapes and sizes that are washed up on it. As for swimming, well, once you get beyond the stones it gets very nice (see photos). As there are few easy entrances that avoid the stones at low tide, it is better to go at high tide, wade in a few yards, float over the stones, and then put your feet down on nice firm sand as you’ll still be only in waist to chest high water.
The southern end can be reached by walking and crossing the small stream (a great hike if you want to build up an appetite) or by heading south on the QH and looking for the sign to Halfway Hill Farm and driving in and paying a visit to Gloria Culmer, her little gift shop and gardens. A founder of the Saturday morning farmers’ market in Salt Pond, the gardens help supply the produce sold there. Gloria is a delightful lady and if you ask permission, will let you park and gain access to the southern end that goes to Whale Head.
